Often, in the morning, when I’m out running, especially if I see a beautiful sunrise, I think the world would be such a better place if everybody could experience this every morning.”

AnnMarie Wilson

TORRINGTON – The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the largest running events in the United States. According to the official marathon website, 52,150 contestants crossed the finish line beneath rows of skyscrapers at the city’s Grant Park on October 13 – an event record.

Marathoners range in experience from “elite” world record breakers from across the globe to first-time racers. 

This year’s list of registered runners included AnnMarie Wilson of Lingle. Wilson is a veteran runner and has completed 18 marathons across the country, including the famous 26.2-mile courses in New York and Boston. This was her first experience running the Chicago Marathon, though.

The 26.2-mile course in Chicago weaves through 29 historic neighborhoods. The marathon website estimated 1.7 million spectators gathered along the streets to watch the race that Sunday.

“There are spectators the whole 26 miles of the race,” Wilson said. “It’s a lot different from the Monument Marathon here in Gering where you have very few spectators and it’s pretty rural. People line the streets (in Chicago) and they’re all cheering for you. People are playing music, people have loudspeakers, there are bands, people are high fiving, there are lots of posters.”

The sheer number of people could be difficult to navigate at times, Wilson added. But the energy was infectious. 

“You’re surrounded by people and you can take in that energy,” Wilson said. “They all want you to succeed and they’re cheering for you.”

The course includes 20 aid stations manned by more than 10,000 volunteers. 

“There are tables and tables of Gatorade on both sides of the street and tables and tables of water,” Wilson said.

To be exact, race organizers tallied 78,000 gallons of water, 36,000 gallons of Gatorade, 12,000 bananas and 2.4 million cups. 

Athletes converge on Chicago from all corners of the globe, representing 100 nations and all 50 states, the event website stated. 

While Wilson talked to folks from many different locations before the race, she and her friend and co-marathoner Heidi McCarty “did not meet anybody from Goshen County or Wyoming.”

Three hours, 16 minutes and 30 seconds before starting the race at Grant Park, Wilson crossed the finish line in 997th place (out of thousands of women). 

Wilson’s time was not a marathon personal record and she reached the finish line not quite within sight of the first-place finisher in the women’s division, Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya who clocked in with a new world record of 2:09:56.

Wilson exceeded her own expectations for the race, though, and finished a grueling 26.2-mile marathon – a feat few people have accomplished.

“Given my less-than-ideal preparation, I was really happy with how I felt and how I finished,” Wilson said. “I was not expecting to finish at 3:16. I had a really great experience and I’m grateful that I’m able to get out and run and participate.”

A refreshing approach

Strategy is crucial for long-distance races, but Wilson had to approach the Chicago Marathon from a new angle.

“My strategy for this race was very different than any other race I’ve done because I felt really unprepared,” Wilson said.

In April, Wilson competed in a marathon in Eugene, Oregon. She followed a strict and rigorous 14-week training regimen. Wilson never missed a workout and steadily built up her distance runs to 22 miles.

Wilson planned to run another marathon in July before a hamstring injury “sidelined me from running.” 

A “rough life patch” compounded the injury and Wilson took a “complete” break from running to recover and focus on physical therapy and cross training with an elliptical. Gradually, Wilson re-immersed herself in running, but did not reach the level of training she preferred for a marathon.

“My training over the last three months only consisted of running a few days a week,” Wilson said. “My longest run was only 13 miles.”

On race day in Chicago, Wilson refocused her energy on “running based on how I felt” versus a preoccupation with pacing and jockeying for position among other runners.

“Going into the race on Sunday, I had really low expectations,” Wilson said. “I really just wanted to finish. I wasn’t going to push it because I was concerned about my hamstring and not being prepared to cover the 26-mile distance because I hadn’t had any long runs. I really didn’t let my pace, or what my watch was reading, influence how fast I was going. I went based on how I felt.”

Wilson reached Mile 15 and “was still feeling pretty strong.”

Marathons like the one in Chicago prevent congestion by pairing runners at the starting line and throughout the race with athletes that perform at roughly the same level and pace. During the race, volunteer pace setters carry signs with estimated finish times to help runners.

“At Mile 15, there was a large group near me with two pacers holding a 3:15 finish sign, so I decided to go with that group,” Wilson said. “It was a mile pace I could stick with.”

At Mile 20, Wilson “still felt really good” and began to kick it in for the remaining 10 kilometers.

“At about Mile 20, I started picking up the pace and picking up the effort,” Wilson said. “I felt strong and I finished at 3:16, which is not my fastest (marathon time), but I was really happy with it.”

Racing with the expectation to simply reach the finish line in one piece and enjoy the experience felt invigorating, Wilson noted. 

“I’ve had some races where I felt a lot of pressure to either finish at a certain time or place,” Wilson said. “I’ve won the Monument Marathon a couple of times and each time I go into it, I put a lot of pressure on myself to either run well or finish first or break the course record.”

During one race, the anxiety over split times and performance morphed into panic and Wilson’s “arms went tingly.”

Chicago was different.

“This time, I didn’t have any of those expectations,” Wilson said. “I knew 26 miles was going to hurt, because it always does. But I just didn’t have the nerves. With this race, I just had a great time. It was very refreshing.”

A life sport

Wilson competed in track in junior high and ran for the high school cross-country team for one year. Wilson’s primary focus, though, was soccer in both high school and college.

Then Wilson met her future husband, Joe, and the rest was history.

“Running became our activity of choice,” Wilson said. “We spent a lot of time at running events and spent a lot of time together running.”

The Wilson ran their first marathon together in 2002. With limited opportunities to play adult soccer in rural Wyoming, running is now Wilson’s favorite sport.

“It’s something I enjoy doing every day – to get up in the morning and go for a run,” Wilson said. “I enjoy the time outside. I enjoy the physical exertion. I enjoy the sweat.”

Wilson took occasional breaks from running to focus on other priorities – young children or graduate school – but always returned to the sport.

“I have really enjoyed running as an adult with close friends and traveling to these marathons,” Wilson said. “Heidi (McCarty) and I had a wonderful time exploring Chicago.”

Wilson plans to run the Houston Marathon in January and is looking into other events, including the Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota and Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, also in Minnesota.

Wilson advises beginning runners is to get out there and do it.

“Whether it’s one minute of running, one minute of jogging, or five minutes of running, you just build up from there,” Wilson said. “You have to start somewhere. If you start small and you stay consistent, eventually you get to the finish line of a 26-mile marathon and say, ‘Woohoo!’”

In the meantime, running is a sport one can grow to love, Wilson said.

“Often, in the morning, when I’m out running, especially if I see a beautiful sunrise, I think the world would be such a better place if everybody could experience this every morning.”

Wilson thanked her husband, Joe, for his support over the years – encouraging her to get up every morning to run or taking care of the family while Wilson competes in places like Chicago.

“He is the biggest support and I appreciate him and all he does to help me.”